A Morphological Study on the Effects of Propylparaben Exposure on Female Mammary Glands
Presenter: Simran Kaur
Faculty Sponsor: Laura N. Vandenberg
School: UMass Amherst
Research Area: Public Health and Epidemiology
Session: Poster Session 5, 3:15 PM - 4:00 PM, Auditorium, A58
ABSTRACT
Propylparaben is a preservative used in cosmetics, in food, and in some pharmaceuticals. Prior studies suggest that propylparaben is an endocrine-disrupting chemical with estrogen receptor agonist properties. In this study, the long-term effects of propylparaben were evaluated in adult female mice following exposures during perinatal development. Mammary glands were collected at 9-weeks of age, prepared as whole-mounts, stained, and then imaged at 3.5x and 12x using an AxioImager Dissection microscope. The images were then analyzed to measure the length of branches from the lymph node to the leading edge of the gland, representing its furthest growth. Terminal end buds (TEBs), defined as bulb-shaped structures at the ends of ducts that are at least 0.03 sq mm, were also counted and measured. TEBs are typically only present during puberty, and their presence in adulthood is abnormal. Alterations in the in the morphology of the mammary gland may indicate that propylparaben exposures during adulthood can have long-lasting effects on female mice, long after exposures cease. The presence of TEBs may be due to increased proliferation, which should be evaluated in future studies. Studies from other labs indicate that mice exposed to propylparaben have a higher risk of mammary cancer, and our study may provide additional support for this conclusion. Through the completion of this study, we expect to characterize the harmful effects of propylparaben and better understand its mechanism of action.